Camping at Bearskin

Camping on East Bearskin Lake

Bearskin Lodge operates the East Bearskin Lake Campground on behalf of the US Forest Service. Bearskin Lodge is responsible for all its operations from May 1st through November 1st. The Campground is located on the shores of East Bearskin Lake, with many camping sites right on the water. East Bearskin Lake offers excellent fishing, swimming, boating/canoeing, waterfalls, BWCAW entry points, and world class scenery.

East Bearskin Lake Campground has 32 camp sites offering privacy and comfort. Tent camping and RV camping are permitted. All sites have picnic tables and fire rings. Like most Forest Service campgrounds, this is fairly rustic. There are no electrical hookups, nor is there an RV dump station at the campground or the resort. Showers are not available, although a refreshing swim in East Bearskin Lake will frequently do the trick.

The staff at nearby Bearskin Lodge will be happy to answer questions for you. Basic groceries, firewood, bait/tackle, ice, gifts, postcards, and boat/canoe rentals are available at Bearskin Lodge. However, the other amenities at Bearskin Lodge are for resort guests only and are not part of the National Forest Service campground facilities.

All campsites at the East Bearskin Lake Campground are $18.00 per night. One vehicle is included; an additional vehicle is $8.00. There is a limit of 8 people and 2 vehicles per site. If you registered online, you have paid your fees; if you are a drive-in camper, register and pay soon after arrival. Campers who have not paid within 1 hour of arrival, or by 1 PM each day, forfeit their campsites.

Pets are allowed in the campground and the camper cabins, as long as they are quiet, well-behaved, and do not run free. The few complaints we get each summer almost always involve dogs in the campground. Be a good neighbor if you camp with your pets.

How to reserve a site

Most sites in the East Bearskin Lake Campground have been added to the reservation website. Some sites are still on a "first come, first served" basis. In 2012 many more sites were added to the reservation system, including several favorite sites that were on a "walk-in" basis in the past. Reservations can only be made 4 or more days ahead of the desired dates; if you don't have a reservation, this campground almost always has nice, unreserved sites still available. The NFS does not permit us to take reservations for future camping at the lodge.

Cash or personal checks are accepted. Checks should be made out to "Bearskin Lodge." Returned checks are subject to a $30 charge; because this is a federal campground, bounced checks and unpaid campsite bills can result in significant penalties and prosecution. A kiosk located near the Campground entrance has self-registration instructions with payment envelopes.

Amenities

Even though you are "roughing it up North," East Bearskin Lake Campground does offer a few basic comforts. A large deep water boat launch ramp, numerous complimentary garbage containers, solar powered and hand powered drinking water, picnic tables and fire rings, new ADA approved toilets, and well maintained sites are all available for guests.

Running through the Campground is Bearskin Lodge's hiking trail system. This is an extensive network of well-marked trails that meander through the area and provide incredible viewing of wildlife and scenery. Stop by Bearskin Lodge for a map of the trails. Many other trails are maintained in the immediate area. Pick up a Gunflint Trail area hiking map, for more ideas. Hiking, biking, fishing, berry picking, birding, photography, and swimming are just a few of the things to do.

We also have a few groceries, bug spray, sunscreen, and other necessities. Enjoy a refreshing cold beer of glass of wine in the lodge or out on our beautiful deck or screened porch.

The New East Bearskin Lake Camper Cabins

Additional camper cabin available in summer, 2015!

East Bearskin Lake Campground now has two "Camper Cabins." Each cabin has bunk space for 5 people, an indoor table, and a porch. Outside the camper cabin there is a fire ring, a picnic table, and a wooded path down to the lake. Lake access is good from both camper cabins. Access to drinking water and the campground bathrooms is just a short walk away. Camper cabins are an ideal way to experience "edge of the wilderness" camping, but in a more sheltered indoor environment. Families love the camper cabins, and they also make a great bunkhouse for beginning a BWCAW trip at the East Bearskin Lake entry point.

Camper cabins can be rented on a "walk-up, first come first serve" basis when available; more often they are reserved ahead of time through . They rent for $68/night. We are not able to make reservations for these ahead of time at the lodge, although if you see that a camper cabin is empty and available, you can visit the main lodge to rent it. On the site, the camper cabins are located at the end of the campsite list, on page 2 of the campsites. Camper cabin 1 is located on site 3, while camper cabin 2 is on site 20. We're recommending that you make an online reservation for these, rather than plan on getting one as a "walk-up" reservation. Both camper cabins were reserved for most dates last summer. Plan ahead.

Location

The East Bearskin Lake Campground is approximately 27 miles from the Lake Superior town of Grand Marais. From Grand Marais take the Gunflint Trail (Cty. Rd. 12) about 26 miles to the East Bearskin Lake Road. Turn right and continue about 1 mile until you come to the Campground. You will pass another sign along the gravel road for Bearskin Lodge, but keep going. The campground is at the next entrance to your right. It is well-marked as a National Forest Service campground. Look for the sign shown in this picture.

Do campers have use of the Bearskin Lodge facilities?

This campground is a National Forest Service Campground located very near to Bearskin Lodge, but it is not part of Bearskin. The hot tub house, sauna, showers, our own swimming beach, children's area, and naturalist activities are amenities that go with renting a cabin at Bearskin Lodge and are not open to the public. Dining, baked goods, equipment rentals, beer or wine in the lodge, groceries, ice, bait, gifts, fishing licenses, BWCAW permits, and good area advice are services that are available to everyone.

More questions?

Please call (218) 388-2292 for additional info about the campground. Please remember, we cannot make reservations for campsites at Bearskin Lodge. This is a Superior National Forest campground and reservations must be made through . We are happy to answer basic questions about the campground, but cannot always provide you with complete availability information.